Rocky Mountain Daddy

by Lois Richer

  After he’d figured out fatherhood.

  As they pulled into the yard, Art Brown emerged from the shed carrying a gas can and a wrench. To Gabe he looked weary beyond belief.

  “How are you doing?” he asked after he’d introduced Olivia. Eli was still sleeping.

  “Okay. Hated to leave Mavis in Edmonton alone, but she must be close to the hospital for her treatment and I’ve got to tend things here. All this back and forth is wearing me out,” Art admitted, heaving a sigh. “But you don’t want to hear my woes. Come on inside and I’ll make you a cup of coffee. Place isn’t very tidy but—”

  “You have the most glorious deck. Do you mind if we sit out here for a bit? Then Eli, that’s Gabe’s son, will see us when he wakens. And we had coffee earlier so don’t go to any trouble on our account.” Olivia’s smile seemed to put the fatigued man at ease.

  “Okay. Have a seat. Son, huh? Good for you, Gabe.” Art sat down gratefully. “Thought maybe I’d mow the yard today. Sure does need it, but that beast won’t start.” He shook his head at the ancient green ride-on mower sitting in the long grass. “Guess it’s getting old, just like me.”

  “Mind if I take a look?” Gabe asked. He shot Olivia a questioning glance, relieved when she nodded. “Stay here and relax,” he ordered Art with a grin. “I’m better if I work alone. Or at least I’m less embarrassed when I can’t figure it out.”

  “Join my club. Have at it.” Art stretched out his legs when Gabe stepped off the deck and bent to look at the mower.

  “My aunts, Tillie and Margaret, send their best wishes to you and Mavis. They’re praying for both of you,” Olivia said quietly. “Is there anything we can do to make things easier for you?”

  “Everybody’s already doing so much,” the man said, tears welling at the corners of his eyes. “Embarrassing to ask for more.”

  “That’s what friends are for,” Olivia assured him.

  Gabe listened in unabashedly, liking the way Olivia deflected the man’s concern.

  “We’d like to help if we can, Art,” she said now. “Please tell us how we can best do that.”

  Gabe already knew most of the issues at Evensong. He’d been trying to rectify them since the couple had left, but the list seemed to increase daily.

  “I’m most worried about the house roof,” the retired man admitted. “God’s blessed us so far this summer and we haven’t had a big deluge. But the next downpour is going to cause huge problems inside.” Art hung his head, obviously ashamed he hadn’t been able to fix it.

  “Don’t you dare go up there, Arthur.” Gabe called his warning loudly, hoping the older man would heed him. “Climbing on roofs won’t help that knee of yours.” He glanced at Olivia, surprised to see her writing in a tiny notebook. “We’ll get it done,” he assured his friend with a grin while wondering, When?

  “What else needs doing, Art?” Olivia glanced around.

  “Well, the cattle and the horses are a worry, of course. Gabe’s been great at taking care of them while I’m gone but we can’t keep relying on him. Guess I’ll have to sell them, though Mavis raised that mare from a foal and she’s attached to it—”

  “You know I don’t mind caring for the animals, Art.” Gabe fiddled with the carburetor, then flicked the starter switch. The mower sputtered momentarily but finally came to life. He let it run for a few minutes as he added gas from the nearby can. “I’m going to give it a whirl,” he called to the pair on the deck.

  He noticed Art start to rise, saw Olivia restrain him with a gentle hand on his arm. Then, heads bent together, the two chatted and Olivia wrote some more in her book. Gabe was curious about that book, but he concentrated on grass cutting until he saw Eli’s head pop up inside the cab. Then he parked the machine, got off and went to his son.

  “Ever ridden on a mower?” Gabe asked. Eyes wide, Eli shook his head. “Come on, you can ride with me while we cut this grass for my friend.” He explained the rules about riding to Eli, then sat him on the back of the long seat. “Hang on to me now,” he ordered, a tiny rush of pleasure surging through him when the small hands wrapped around his waist.

  Just then Gabe happened to glance up. Olivia was watching them. She smiled and nodded her approval. For some reason that made him unreasonably happy, and he returned to his mowing with a light heart.

  Whatever You have in store for me, God, I thank You for my son and for a friend like Olivia. Underneath that reserve, she’s got a good heart.

  Chapter Three

  Back at The Haven, Gabe accepted Tillie and Margaret’s invitation for supper. He always enjoyed the camaraderie around their table and envied the easy pleasure this family took in being together, welcoming whomever joined them. Tonight Gabe especially enjoyed how Eli seemed to relax and even laugh with Victoria and Ben’s adopted son, Mikey, who was about the same age. Yet Eli still avoided his father, which bugged Gabe no end.

  “Where’s Francie and Franklyn?” Eli asked.

  “At home on the Double M where they live. Saturday night is pizza night at their house. Then they go on a family ride. Francie and Franklyn ride their miniature horses, and Adele and Mac ride on the big horses.” Victoria glanced from Olivia to Gabe. “What did you three do today?”

  Gabe let Olivia explain about their house search and the subsequent visit to Art.

  “There are one or two ways we could help there, aunties,” she ended quietly.

  “We’d love that. Art and Mavis have become very dear souls in our community. Tell us what they need, Livvie,” Tillie demanded, leaning forward.

  Victoria got the boys busy with a board game while Olivia consulted her notes and then spoke, astounding Gabe with her perception and quick assessment of the situation.

  “Eli needed the bathroom so I took him inside Art’s house and noticed the house needs a cleaning. With all the outside work, I don’t suppose Art’s had much time or energy. When Mavis comes home, I’m sure cleaning will be the last thing on her mind as she recuperates.”

  “We’ll have a cleaning bee. We love bees, but our ladies’ group hasn’t had one in forever.” Tillie beamed. “We’ll go Monday morning. I know Art plans on returning to Edmonton tomorrow, so we won’t upset his plans. Done.”

  “Next?” Margaret, not to be outdone by her sister’s enthusiasm, waited impatiently.

  “Well.” Olivia glanced at Gabe as if to ask his opinion.

  “You’re doing fine,” he assured her.

  “It’s just—” She glanced at her list, then around the table. “The way Art spoke about Mavis and their stay in the city made me think neither of them are eating properly. I doubt if she’s well enough to cook and he said he can’t, so perhaps a few frozen meals would be in order?”

  “Adele has plenty of them in the freezer. Tillie and I will deliver some this evening. Art can take them with him to Edmonton.” Margaret smiled. “Good thinking, Livvie.” The Spenser sisters smiled at each other, but those smiles faded when Olivia cleared her throat.

  “I wasn’t finished.” Her cheeks pinked when everyone looked at her in surprise. “The place needs a second work bee.”

  “For?” Margaret was busily making her own list.

  “The outside. Art mentioned the roof leaks. Gabe warned him to stay off the roof because of his knee, but apparently it must be fixed before the next rain or considerable damage will occur inside.” Olivia looked around the table. “Their hardwood floors are lovely. It would be a shame for rain leaks to ruin them.”

  Gabe had noticed those gorgeous floors many times, but he hadn’t given a thought to their shape if a leaky roof damaged them. Full marks to Olivia the organizer.

  “Our men’s group from the church can reroof the house. We have the cash to pay for it and we’ve been looking for a way to use those funds locally.” Ben, Victoria’s husband, mused aloud. “It’s not a large house so it shouldn’t take
long. I’ll ask the guys, see if Tuesday works.”

  “That’s more than generous.” Olivia noted his offer in her book before inhaling. “Then there’s the painting,” she added in a rush.

  “Painting?” Tillie leaned forward. “Inside, you mean?”

  “It could certainly use a refresh inside, but I was thinking more of the outside. The siding is peeling and looks so shabby. It would be disheartening for Mavis to come home to.”

  “I’ve been meaning to paint the house,” Gabe admitted, “but I never gave a thought to Mavis’s feelings.” He smiled at Olivia. “Your perceptions intrigue me.”

  “I like organizing things in a way that makes sense to those who’ll be using them.” She shrugged. “It’s what I do—did. Will do, in my new job.”

  “It’s what she’s doing in our office and she’s amazing,” Vic praised. “I never dreamed bookings at The Haven could be so easy. My phone is now linked with our system. It doesn’t matter if I’m out, I can still see our openings at a glance. You have a gift, Liv, one God blessed you with abundantly. I wish He’d given me just a little of it.”

  “He blessed you with other things,” Olivia said with a quick glance at Victoria’s husband and daughter.

  “Yes, He has. Is that everything on your list, Olivia?” Ben asked.

  Gabe noticed Olivia’s face redden before she ducked her head to consult her notes once again.

  “There’s more,” he guessed with a wry smile.

  “I do have a few other suggestions,” Olivia admitted, looking embarrassed.

  “Such as?” Gabe couldn’t stop gazing at her, admiring the glistening fall of her dark hair against her newly sun-kissed cheek. “Hit us with them, Olivia.”

  “It’s just—I wondered if it would be possible to get some roses planted at the corner of the deck. Art said Mavis used to have some there and she loved them, but what hasn’t been winter-killed has been eaten by deer.” She tugged out a small sheet of paper and laid it on the table. “Maybe something like this? Eli drew it for me.”

  “Eli drew this?” Gabe stared at the perfectly shaped rosebuds on a rosebush and the scattered shorter flowers beneath the bush that hugged the deck post. An almost invisible fence protected the flowers and, of course, birds fluttered nearby.

  Gabe knew zip about art, but he recognized that his son was talented. How was he supposed to nurture that here, far away from teachers and special schools that knew how to encourage artistic stuff? Had Eve done anything about Eli’s talent?

  This fatherhood thing—he’d ask Olivia’s advice. Again.

  “We know the very person to create a lovely garden.” Tillie studied the paper. “May we take this, Liv?”

  “If Eli agrees,” Olivia said, and asked the little boy.

  “It’s okay. I can draw more,” Eli said. “I like drawin’. ’Specially birds.”

  “Thank you, dear. Our Jake is the most wonderful handyman we could ask for, but he’s an absolute master at gardening. His specialty is roses. This would be the perfect project for him to show off his gift.” Margaret leaned closer, peering through her bifocals. “You’re very talented, Eli.”

  Eli shrugged and went back to playing.

  “When the house gets painted, it might be nice to give the outbuildings a coat, also,” Olivia murmured. “That way when they arrive home—Art said perhaps in two weeks—everything will look fresh and welcoming.”

  “We have a credit with the local painter. We’ll ask him to paint the house,” Aunt Tillie declared.

  “Yes,” Margaret agreed. “But I doubt our credit will cover more than the house.”

  “I’ll paint the outbuildings,” Gabe said, thrilled that his friends would be so well cared for.

  “But you’re already looking after Art’s livestock. And you have Eli.” Olivia frowned. “How are you going to have time for all this?”

  Gabe didn’t stop to think it over. He wasn’t even sure where the idea came from. He only knew he liked it. A lot.

  “Eli’s going to help me,” he announced. “We’re going to paint those buildings together. Right, Eli?”

  Eli blinked. He set down his game piece, thought for a moment then shrugged. “’Kay.”

  “Great.” Olivia’s smile was something to behold. It made her eyes sparkle. She glowed so much Gabe couldn’t stop gawking at her. “Then the only thing left on my list is to find you and Eli a home.”

  “We need to pray on that,” Tillie said firmly.

  “Yes. God has a plan. That’s why he sent Olivia and Eli to us.” Margaret folded her hands. “Now we must discover that plan. Let’s pray.”

  Gabe closed his eyes, but truthfully he didn’t hear much of the aunties’ prayers. He was too busy thinking about how Olivia fit in so perfectly with The Haven’s ministries. Victoria certainly seemed delighted with her help, and in one afternoon she’d set things in motion that he’d struggled with for months.

  How sad that she’d be leaving soon.

  * * *

  “How goes the search for a home for Eli and Gabe?” Victoria asked the following Thursday as she strolled into the office. She stopped, gulped. “What a mess!”

  “The house search does not go well,” Olivia said from her sitting position on the floor. “This mess is your old system of filing bills. But by tomorrow you’ll be doing things differently and much more neatly.”

  “Okay.” Victoria crunched on her apple as she watched her sister sift through the mass of files. “Did you take a call from social services about a weekend in July?”

  “Yes.”

  “And they booked it?” Victoria asked, frowning when Olivia didn’t immediately answer. “Liv?”

  “I talked them out of it.”

  “You did what? Why?” Victoria’s easygoing manner disappeared. “Olivia, the whole summer schedule revolves around—”

  “That’s the problem. It shouldn’t.” Olivia exhaled and rose, ready to calm her frustrated foster sister.

  “But we— Olivia!” Vic exploded, staring across the office. “My wall. My charts. Everything’s gone. What are you doing?”

  “Making it better. I took your stuff down and painted this wall with chalkboard paint. When it’s fully dry I’m going to draw a year’s worth of calendars and mark in the bookings. Here’s an idea of what it’ll look like.” She tapped the computer and a calendar appeared.

  Victoria looked, frowned, but said nothing.

  “See how you were always losing Friday night between groups? But everybody wants that night to start the weekend, right?” Olivia was so excited she barely waited for her Victoria’s nod. “If we check out one group Friday morning and check in the next one that afternoon, the cabins don’t stay idle overnight. You can accommodate more kids.”

  “But then I won’t get a break and we’ll have even less time to clean the cabins.” Victoria’s frustration was evident in her tone. “I need those few hours off, Liv, to spend with my kids and my husband.”

  “You need more than a few hours per week. That’s why I’ve fitted in full days off for you.” Olivia showed her the days marked in pink. “And you won’t be cleaning the cabins, Vic.”

  “I won’t?”

  “Uh-uh. Each camping group and counselor will be responsible to clean their own cabin.” Delighted with her plan, Olivia explained, “We’ll have a contest and award prizes so they’ll be eager to do a good job. One of your staff can do the final checkout.”

  “But who will handle the guests when I’m off?” Victoria’s tone grew thoughtful.

  “Again—your staff. They should all know how to deal with stuff like that anyway. You’re the director, Vic, not the do-it-all girl.” She grinned. “Another thing. We’re going to change up the schedule so that everybody gets an occasional weekend off.”

  “Then we’ll have to hire, train and house even mor
e staff.” Vic sighed. “Livvie, I know you mean well, but this is going to be expensive and cause so much more work for me—”

  “No, it’s going to streamline things so that you don’t have to work so hard. Trust me, Vic. This will work.” Olivia tamped down her frustration at her sister’s dubious expression. Didn’t Victoria realize that she knew what she was doing, that she’d handled far bigger and more complex scheduling issues than this? “I need you to call a staff meeting for this afternoon so I can explain how things are going to change. Is two o’clock okay?”

  “Yes. But if this doesn’t work, it’s on you, Liv,” Victoria warned. “You’ll have to stay and pitch in. I can’t take on any more.”

  “I know that. You’re doing too much now, and you’re worn-out. My schedule will fix that,” Olivia reassured her gently. “Isn’t that why you asked for my help? Please, trust me.”

  “I’ll try.” Clearly still troubled, Vic left.

  Trust me. Such an easy thing to ask for, Olivia thought. She used the words over and over each night at Eli’s bedtime, trying to encourage him to talk about his past. But the child had yet to divulge details. His words from that first day still troubled her.

  I prayed and prayed and he never came.

  Why had Eli been praying for his father to come for him? What had his life with his mom, his aunt and her children been like?

  Those questions whirled around without answers until Olivia finally forced them from her mind. She finished entering everything on the chalkboard, then checked and double-checked her work before deciding to take a break. It was lunchtime and she was starving. She strolled to the patio where Adele was busy grilling a picnic lunch. Olivia’s stupid heart rate sped up to double time when Gabe sauntered up.

  “Hi, there.” He threw her that lazy-cowboy, knee-knocking smile of his and reached up to rub something from her scarred cheek.